Tuesday, July 19, 2011 – According to coalition forces officials, Afghan security forces have taken over responsibility for security in the capital of an eastern province. This is the second region after Bamiyan province which has been handed over to Afghan security forces during the first phase of security transition.
Gen. James Bucknall, deputy commander of coalition forces said, Tuesday’s handover of the capital of predominantly Pashtun Laghman province is a powerful signal to insurgents that progress is being made in Afghanistan.
Mehterlam is one of seven areas that will transition to the Afghan government this month.
It is the first phase of a three-and-a-half year plan that will eventually see the entire country under Afghan control by the end of 2014, when all American and other foreign combat forces are to withdraw.
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